​Baker Mayfield has dramatically altered the arc of his professional journey since joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, yet Pro Football Focus still questions where he stands among the NFL’s quarterbacks as the 2026 season approaches. In PFF’s ranking of all 32 projected starting signal-callers, Mayfield sits at 18th, a spot that places him in the middle of the pack even after guiding Tampa Bay to multiple successful campaigns and staking his claim as the long-term answer at quarterback for the franchise.
This placement follows a tougher 2025 season, during which Mayfield’s efficiency metrics dipped from his standout 2024 breakout. PFF highlighted a drop in passing grade, completion percentage, and yards per attempt, along with an uptick in turnover-worthy plays, as factors that kept him outside the league’s elite echelon of quarterbacks. Yet, the numbers don’t capture the full picture. Mayfield operated behind an offensive line that endured ongoing injuries and frequent lineup shifts throughout the year. The Buccaneers were forced to rotate pieces in and out, creating pass-protection inconsistency that made it harder for the offense to establish a steady rhythm.
In addition, Tampa Bay faced receiver injuries, including rookie Emeka Egbuka, who battled hamstring and groin issues that limited his production late in the season. Despite these hurdles, Mayfield remained a stabilizing presence and helped keep the Buccaneers competitive in a many-game run. Looking ahead to 2026, he has a real chance to prove PFF’s ranking inaccurate. With a healthier offensive front, an emerging playmaker in Egbuka, and Chris Godwin back as a veteran leader in the receiving corps, Mayfield should benefit from more weapons around him.
The Buccaneers also believe their younger group of offensive talents is prepared to take another step forward. Mayfield’s career has long been defined by overcoming doubt, and finishing 18th in the rankings could serve as additional motivation heading into the new season. If he can recapture the form from his most effective stretches in Tampa Bay, he could climb the quarterback rankings more quickly than many expect. This push comes amid a broader expectation within the organization that the team’s offense will continue to evolve, with Mayfield at the helm and a growing supporting cast ready to rise to the challenge. The season ahead stands as a fresh opportunity for Mayfield to demonstrate that his best days are still ahead and to validate PFF’s projections with a standout performance under center for the Buccaneers.